The iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony is set to take place in 2024, marking its 93rd year of tradition. This year’s towering Norway spruce from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, will be adorned with over 50,000 multicolor LED lights and topped with a Swarovski star designed by architect Daniel Libeskind.
The event will feature performances by Kelly Clarkson, the Radio City Rockettes, the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, Dan + Shay, and Thalia. The ceremony will also include appearances by “Today” co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin.
Viewers can catch the ceremony on TV starting at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with a two-hour special titled “Christmas in Rockefeller Center.” The program will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, as well as simulcast in Spanish on Telemundo’s “Navidades en Rockefeller Center” at 9 p.m.
While the event is free to watch in person, road closures will take place around Rockefeller Center from 46th Street to 52nd Street. Last year’s ceremony was marred by protests from pro-Palestinian groups, but organizers are not anticipating any disruptions this year.
After the holiday season, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, where it will be milled into beams used to build homes for those in need.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has a rich history, with Erik Pauze, the head gardener, scouting over 100 trees annually across six states. This year’s selection was made after years of care and monitoring, with Pauze stating that it was “just right” for the occasion.
Source: https://nypost.com/2024/12/04/entertainment/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-lighting-2024-how-to-watch-performers-more